OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency and health impact of chronic multi-site musculoskeletal pain, in a representative UK sample. METHOD: Population postal questionnaire survey, using 16 general practices in the southeast of England, nationally representative urban/rural, ethnic and socioeconomic mix. A random selection of 4049 registered patients, aged 18 or over, were sent a questionnaire. The main outcome measures were chronic pain location, identified using a pain drawing; distress, pain intensity and disability as measured by the GHQ12 and the Chronic Pain Grade. RESULTS: A total of 2445 patients (60%) responded to the survey (44% male, mean age 52 yrs); 45% had chronic musculoskeletal pain. Of those with chronic pain, three quarters had pain in multiple sites (two or more sites). Variables significantly predicting this were: age under 55, [odds ratio (OR) 0.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4, 0.6]; psychological distress (OR 1.8, CI at 95% 1.4, 2.2) and high pain intensity (OR 5.2, CI at 95% 4.1, 6.7). Only 33% of multi-site pain distributions conformed to the American College of Rheumatology definition of chronic widespread pain. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-site chronic pain is more common than single-site chronic pain and is commonly associated with other problems. Indiscriminate targeting of research and care for chronic musculoskeletal pain on single sites may often be inappropriate.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency and health impact of chronic multi-site musculoskeletal pain, in a representative UK sample. METHOD: Population postal questionnaire survey, using 16 general practices in the southeast of England, nationally representative urban/rural, ethnic and socioeconomic mix. A random selection of 4049 registered patients, aged 18 or over, were sent a questionnaire. The main outcome measures were chronic pain location, identified using a pain drawing; distress, pain intensity and disability as measured by the GHQ12 and the Chronic Pain Grade. RESULTS: A total of 2445 patients (60%) responded to the survey (44% male, mean age 52 yrs); 45% had chronic musculoskeletal pain. Of those with chronic pain, three quarters had pain in multiple sites (two or more sites). Variables significantly predicting this were: age under 55, [odds ratio (OR) 0.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4, 0.6]; psychological distress (OR 1.8, CI at 95% 1.4, 2.2) and high pain intensity (OR 5.2, CI at 95% 4.1, 6.7). Only 33% of multi-site pain distributions conformed to the American College of Rheumatology definition of chronic widespread pain. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-site chronic pain is more common than single-site chronic pain and is commonly associated with other problems. Indiscriminate targeting of research and care for chronic musculoskeletal pain on single sites may often be inappropriate.
Authors: Subas Neupane; Päivi Leino-Arjas; Clas-Håkan Nygård; Helena Miranda; Anna Siukola; Pekka Virtanen Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2014-07-03 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Emily H Sparer; Cassandra A Okechukwu; Justin Manjourides; Robert F Herrick; Jeffrey N Katz; Jack T Dennerlein Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2015-06-29 Impact factor: 2.214
Authors: Subas Neupane; Helena Miranda; Pekka Virtanen; Anna Siukola; Clas-Håkan Nygård Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2012-07-03 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Thomas J Hoogeboom; Mirelle J P M Stukstette; Rob A de Bie; Jessica Cornelissen; Alfons A den Broeder; Cornelia H M van den Ende Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2010-07-01 Impact factor: 2.362